Variation of Nuclear DNA Content in the Genus Mentha L. (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

2C nuclear DNA contents were determined for 52 clones of four commercially important Mentha species viz., M. piperita, M. viridis, M. spicata and M. cardiaca. A three fold variation in 2C DNA content was detected which ranged from 2.83 pg in M. viridis to 8.73 pg in M. cardiaca. However, 2C DNA content per genome in the Mentha species was 4.64 fold. The observed significant decrease in proportionate amount of DNA values at higher ploidy may be attributed to its adaptive advantage. 2C nuclear DNA content did not show any relationship either with total chromosome length of the complement or nuclear volume.